Effectiveness of quadratus lumborum block for postoperative pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of quadratus lumborum (QL) block on pain after surgeries under general or spinal anesthesia. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were performed to compare pain scores at rest and with movement 48 h postoperatively in a QL block group and a control group both with placebo block and without block and the time to first additional analgesics. The analgesic effect of the QL block according to the type of surgery and block approach was also examined. A literature search was performed using well-known databases for articles published up to March 2019. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Nine RCTs were included. Compared to the control group, pain scores at rest were significantly lower for 48 h postoperatively in the QL block group. QL block reduced pain scores with movement at six, 12, and 24 h postoperatively. The QL block group exhibited the most improved numerical pain scores at 12 h postoperatively both at rest and with movement, with a mean difference (MD) of -2.16 (95% confidence interval [CI] -3.12 to -1.20) and -2.26 [95% CI -3.54 to -0.98]), respectively. The subgroup analysis of pain scores at rest showed a statistically significant subgroup difference (P=0.02, I2=75.7%), suggesting a different analgesic effect of QL block based on the approach. Time to first additional analgesics postoperatively was longer in the QL block group than in the control group (MD 333.51 minutes [95% CI 69.37 to 597.64]). CONCLUSIONS: QL block may be a good multimodal analgesic approach for pain after abdominal surgeries.

Practice guidelines for propofol sedation by non-anesthesiologists: the Korean Society of Anesthesiologists Task Force recommendations on propofol sedation.

In South Korea, as in many other countries, propofol sedation is performed by practitioners across a broad range of specialties in our country. However, this has led to significant variation in propofol sedation practices, as shown in a series of reports by the Korean Society of Anesthesiologists (KSA). This has led the KSA to develop a set of evidence-based practical guidelines for propofol sedation by non-anesthesiologists. Here, we provide a set of recommendations for propofol sedation, with the aim of ensuring patient safety in a variety of clinical settings. The subjects of the guidelines are patients aged ≥ 18 years who were receiving diagnostic or therapeutic procedures under propofol sedation in a variety of hospital classes. The committee developed the guidelines via a de novo method, using key questions created across 10 sub-themes for data collection as well as evidence from the literature. In addition, meta-analyses were performed for three key questions. Recommendations were made based on the available evidence, and graded according to the modified Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. Draft guidelines were scrutinized and discussed by advisory panels, and agreement was achieved via the Delphi consensus process. The guidelines contain 33 recommendations that have been endorsed by the KSA Executive Committee. These guidelines are not a legal standard of care and are not absolute requirements; rather they are recommendations that may be adopted, modified, or rejected according to clinical considerations.

Normalization of NAD+ Redox Balance as a Therapy for Heart Failure.

BACKGROUND: Impairments of mitochondrial function in the heart are linked intricately to the development of heart failure, but there is no therapy for mitochondrial dysfunction. METHODS: We assessed the reduced/oxidized ratio of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH/NAD(+) ratio) and protein acetylation in the failing heart. Proteome and acetylome analyses were followed by docking calculation, mutagenesis, and mitochondrial calcium uptake assays to determine the functional role of specific acetylation sites. The therapeutic effects of normalizing mitochondrial protein acetylation by expanding the NAD(+) pool also were tested. RESULTS: Increased NADH/NAD(+) and protein hyperacetylation, previously observed in genetic models of defective mitochondrial function, also are present in human failing hearts as well as in mouse hearts with pathologic hypertrophy. Elevation of NAD(+) levels by stimulating the NAD(+) salvage pathway suppressed mitochondrial protein hyperacetylation and cardiac hypertrophy, and improved cardiac function in responses to stresses. Acetylome analysis identified a subpopulation of mitochondrial proteins that was sensitive to changes in the NADH/NAD(+) ratio. Hyperacetylation of mitochondrial malate-aspartate shuttle proteins impaired the transport and oxidation of cytosolic NADH in the mitochondria, resulting in altered cytosolic redox state and energy deficiency. Furthermore, acetylation of oligomycin-sensitive conferring protein at lysine-70 in adenosine triphosphate synthase complex promoted its interaction with cyclophilin D, and sensitized the opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore. Both could be alleviated by normalizing the NAD(+) redox balance either genetically or pharmacologically. CONCLUSIONS: We show that mitochondrial protein hyperacetylation due to NAD(+) redox imbalance contributes to the pathologic remodeling of the heart via 2 distinct mechanisms. Our preclinical data demonstrate a clear benefit of normalizing NADH/NAD(+) imbalance in the failing hearts. These findings have a high translational potential as the pharmacologic strategy of increasing NAD(+) precursors are feasible in humans.

Efficacy of dexamethasone added to ramosetron for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting in highly susceptible patients following spine surgery.

BACKGROUND: Opioid-based patient controlled analgesia (PCA) provides adequate pain control following spinal surgeries at the expense of increased risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). We evaluated the efficacy of dexamethasone added to ramosetron, which is a newly developed five-hydroxytryptamine receptor 3 antagonist with a higher receptor affinity and longer action duration compared to its congeners, on preventing PONV in highly susceptible patients receiving opioid-based IV PCA after spinal surgery. METHODS: One hundred nonsmoking female patients undergoing spinal surgery were randomly allocated to either a ramosetron group (group R) or a ramosetron plus dexamethasone group (group RD)., Normal saline (1 ml) or 5 mg of dexamethasone was injected before anesthetic induction, while at the end of the surgery, ramosetron (0.3 mg) was administered to all patients and fentanyl-based IV PCA was continued for 48 hrs. The incidence and severity of PONV, pain score and the amount of rescue antiemetics were assessed for 48 hours after surgery. RESULTS: The number of patients with moderate to severe nausea (20 vs. 10, P = 0.029), and overall incidence of vomiting (13 vs. 5, P = 0.037) were significantly lower in the group RD than in the group R, respectively. Rescue antiemetic was used less in the RD group without significance. CONCLUSIONS: Combination of ramosetron and dexamethasone significantly reduced the incidence of moderate to severe nausea and vomiting compared to ramosetron alone in highly susceptible patients receiving opioid-based IV PCA after surgery.

Extreme hyponatremia with moderate metabolic acidosis during hysteroscopic myomectomy -A case report-.

Excess absorption of fluid distention media remains an unpredictable complication of operative hysteroscopy and may lead to lethal conditions. We report an extreme hyponatremia, caused by using an electrolyte-free 5 : 1 sorbitol/mannitol solution as distention/irrigation fluid for hysteroscopic myomectomy. A 34-year-old female developed severe pulmonary edema and extreme hyponatremia (83 mmol/L) during transcervical endoscopic myomectomy. A brain computed tomography showed mild brain swelling without pontine myelinolysis. The patient almost fully recovered in two days. Meticulous attention should be paid to intraoperative massive absorption of fluid distention media, even during a simple hysteroscopic procedure.

Clopidogrel responsiveness regardless of the discontinuation date predicts increased blood loss and transfusion requirement after off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

OBJECTIVES: the purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of the percentage of platelet inhibitory response to clopidogrel as assessed by modified thromboelastography with bleeding and transfusion requirement after off-pump coronary artery bypass graft (OPCABG) surgery. BACKGROUND: Interindividual variability of clopidogrel responsiveness may influence bleeding and transfusion requirement. METHODS: one hundred patients who received clopidogrel within 5 days of OPCABG were prospectively enrolled. The primary end point was to compare post-operative bleeding and transfusion requirement in relation to the tertile distribution of the percentage of platelet inhibitory response to clopidogrel. RESULTS: blood loss in the patients in the third tertile was 914 ± 264 ml compared with 623 ± 249 ml in those in the first and 683 ± 254 ml in those in the second tertiles (p = 0.001). Significantly more patients in the third tertile were transfused, and the number of units transfused was also larger. On multivariate analysis, the third tertile was associated with an 11-fold increased risk of transfusion (95% confidence interval: 2.77 to 47.30, p = 0.001). The optimal cutoff value for the transfusion requirement measured by receiver-operator characteristic curve analysis was 70% platelet inhibitory response to clopidogrel (area under the curve: 0.771; 95% confidence interval: 0.674 to 0.868; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: a high percentage of platelet inhibitory response to clopidogrel, regardless of the proximity of clopidogrel exposure, predicts increased blood loss and transfusion requirement after OPCABG with a cutoff value of 70% for increased risk of transfusion. These findings might implicate a potential role of modified thromboelastography in deciding the timing of OPCABG in patients who need continued clopidogrel therapy.